Gaddafi or no Gaddafi? World leaders divided over Libyan conflict [PHOTOS]

By IBT Staff Reporter On 03/25/11 AT 11:08 AM

Revolutionary graffiti caricaturing Muammar Gaddafi adorns a wall in Benghazi March 23, 2011. Like many dictators, Gaddafi carefully controlled how his image was used, often portraying himself as a deity or beloved leader. With the rebellion, however, freedom of expression in rebel controlled areas means that ridicule has become a key weapon in the fight against the climate of fear that has long gripped the country. Anti-Gaddafi caricatures and graffiti have sprung up across cities such as Benghazi, most of them portraying him in an unflattering light. Photo: Reuters

Protesters hold a flag of the Kingdom of Libya during a demonstration against Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin March 24, 2011. Western warplanes hit Libyan tanks on a fifth night of airstrikes on Thursday but failed to stop Muammar Gaddafi's forces shelling rebel-held towns in the west or dislodge his armour in the east. Slogan reads 'Thank you France.' Photo: Reuters

A woman holds a sign as she takes part in a protest against Western air strikes over Libya outside the French embassy in Caracas March 21, 2011. The international community was deeply divided over Libya on Monday, just days after the United Nations passed a no-fly resolution that allowed Western air strikes to protect civilians from Muammar Gaddafi's forces. The sign reads, "U.N. killers!" Photo: Reuters

A pro-Gaddafi demonstrator holds a placard during a protest outside Downing Street in London March 21, 2011. Western forces launched a second wave of air strikes on Libya overnight and officials in Tripoli said a missile intended to kill Muammar Gaddafi had destroyed a building in his fortified compound. Photo: Reuters

Demonstrators hold placards showing caricatures of Libya's leader Muammar Gaddafi during a protest in Brussels March 20, 2011. European and U.S. forces unleashed warplanes and cruise missiles against Gaddafi's forces in the biggest Western military intervention in the Arab world since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Photo: Reuters

Protesters display placards during a rally after Friday prayers at the Blue Mosque in Taguig, Metro Manila March 25, 2011. Hundreds of Filipino Muslims held a demonstration in Taguig on Friday protesting against the air strikes of the U.S. and allied military forces in Muammar Gaddafi's controlled areas in Libya. Photo: Reuters

Supporters of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi protest over the air strikes against Libya by a coalition of Western countries outside the French and U.S. embassies in Nicosia, Cyprus March 21, 2011. Photo: Reuters

People protest in the streets regarding the United States' actions in Libya, in Tucson, Arizona March 19, 2011. Photo: Reuters

Demonstrators gather next to anti-Gaddafi graffiti in the main square of Tobruk March 15, 2011. Muammar Gaddafi's forces seized a strategic town in eastern Libya on Tuesday, opening the way to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi while world powers failed to agree to push for a no-fly zone. Photo: Reuters

Protesters hold up banners during an anti-Gaddafi protest outside a European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels March 10, 2011. NATO and the European Union begin two days of intensive talks on Libya on Thursday, with discussion focused on a possible "no-fly" zone and how Europe can support political transition across North Africa. Photo: Reuters

Protesters display a banner during a anti-Gaddafi protest outside an European Union foreign ministers meeting in Brussels March 10, 2011. NATO and the European Union begin two days of intensive talks on Libya on Thursday, with discussion focused on a possible "no-fly" zone and how Europe can support political transition across North Africa. Photo: Reuters

An Iranian student who is a member of the Basij militia, a part of the Iran Revolutionary Guard, holds-up a cartoon of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi while attending a protest in front of the United Nations' office in Tehran. Photo: Reuters

Libyan-Americans gesture during a protest against Muammar Gaddafi, at the residence of the Libyan ambassador, in Washington February 25, 2011. Photo: Reuters

A Libyan man living in South Korea steps on a picture of Libyan leader Gaddafi during protest against Gaddafi near Libyan embassy in Seoul. Photo: Reuters

Revolutionary graffiti adorns a wall in Benghazi. Photo: Reuters

Demonstrators hold up placards to protest against air strikes by coalition forces on Libya and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, in front of the United Nations headquarters in Colombo. Photo: Reuters

A protester holds poster reading: "No more bombs in Libya" during a rally against the foreign policies of the U.S. in San Salvador. Photo: Reuters

A student shouts slogans during a demonstration against the attacks on Libya by western countries in New Delhi. Photo: Reuters

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The 28-member alliance NATO has decided to take over the task of enforcing the no-fly zone over Libya from the hands of U.S.-led coalition.

However, NATO has not decided as to whether its responsibility included attacking Muammar Gaddafi or to keep his forces at bay. Until then the allies UK, US and France will continue their offensive against Gaddafi's tanks and forces, says Los Angeles Times.

CNN reported that NATO is considering a broader role in Libya. In a surprise move, United Arab Emirates has sent 12 aircrafts to assist NATO in enforcing a no-fly zone.

The strife in Libya and the international support accorded to rebels in the form of the U.S.-led military assistance has evoked mixed reactions from across the globe. The mood across the globe is best captured by graffiti, placards and banners held by protestors across the world.

Graffiti art and placards reveal a divided world over the Libyan crisis, with some protestors backing Gaddafi, some opposing Gaddafi and some others opposing the U.S.-led action in particular.

Suddenly, in a land where Gaddafi once controlled the portrayal of his image, the walls are splattered with images and words which denounce his image now.

Also seen are the placards and banners expressing support for Gaddafi and vehement opposition towards the U.S.-led coalition air strikes in Libya.

Here are pictures of graffiti, placards and banners from across the world which provide a colorful insight as to how divided the global opinion on Libya is: